Ever wondered if you can actually tame an opossum? Honestly, it’s not really a great idea. Opossums are wild animals—they just aren’t meant to be pets, and taming them is rarely possible or recommended. Some folks might try to feed or interact with them, but true domestication basically never happens.
People sometimes tell stories about raising baby opossums, but you usually need special permits for that. The goal is to release them back into the wild.
If you want to help a wild opossum in your yard, just offering some shelter or water is the safest bet. That way, you help them out without causing trouble for either of you.
Learning about how opossums live can make it easier to appreciate them from a distance. Staying safe—both for you and the animal—is always the best approach.
If you’re curious about responsible interaction, let’s dig into what’s actually possible.
Can You Tame an Opossum?
Trying to tame an opossum? It’s tough. You’ll need a lot of patience, plenty of time, and a real understanding of what you’re getting into.
Opossums have needs that aren’t like your average cat or dog. There are also rules and laws you’ll need to check out before you even think about bringing one home.
Challenges and Realities of Taming Opossums
Taming a wild opossum means you have to be patient—sometimes way more than you’d expect. You’ll need to feed them on a schedule and spend time nearby, but you can’t rush things.
Young opossums, especially ones under 7 inches long, are a bit easier to work with than adults. Still, they need a special diet with fresh food and a good balance of calcium and phosphorus to stay healthy.
Opossums don’t really like hanging out with people, and they might bite if they get scared. If you pick one up by the tail, you’ll hurt it—so don’t do that.
If you’re set on keeping an opossum as a pet, know that it’s a high-maintenance commitment. You’ll need to give them a lot of care and respect (learn more).
Legal and Ethical Considerations for Opossum Owners
Check your local laws before you try to keep an opossum. Some places let you have them as pets, but a lot won’t. You may need a special permit, depending on where you live.
Think about what’s best for the opossum, too. Wild opossums belong outdoors, not in a cage. Feeding one is fine, but that doesn’t mean you should try to make it a pet.
If you do decide to tame one, realize you’re signing up for a long-term responsibility. It’s not just about you—it’s about the animal’s health and safety, too (more info).
Caring for a Pet Opossum
If you’re set on caring for an opossum, you’ll need to create the right habitat, feed it well, and pay attention to its social and health needs.
Getting these basics right is the only way to keep your pet opossum happy and healthy.
Creating a Suitable Habitat for Nocturnal Animals
Opossums are nocturnal, so they get active at night. Give them a quiet, dim spot for daytime naps and a safe area to explore after dark.
A roomy cage with places to climb and hide works best. Add in some branches and a big nest box so your opossum feels secure when it sleeps.
Keep the temperature between 50-86°F (10-30°C) and humidity above 50%. This helps prevent their skin from drying out.
Make sure the cage is escape-proof, because opossums are sneaky and love to climb. Set up a bathroom area, too—many opossums will use a litter box if you show them how.
Proper Opossum Diet and Nutrition
Opossums need a diet high in calcium to avoid health issues like metabolic bone disease. Give them a mix of fruits, veggies, insects, and proteins like eggs, fish with bones, or chicken.
Some people use foods like Exotic Nutrition’s Opossum Complete to fill in any nutritional gaps. Leafy greens, squash, and sweet potatoes are also good for vitamins and minerals.
Don’t overfeed them. Opossums have slow metabolisms and can get overweight pretty fast. If needed, you can add liquid calcium or taurine supplements to keep them healthy.
Socialization, Enrichment, and Health Needs
Opossums usually want to live alone, unless you’ve raised them together since they were little. Try to spend regular time bonding with your opossum.
If you handle them gently, they’ll start to trust you more. Let your pet explore outside the cage, but always keep a close eye on them.
Toss in some climbing structures or toys—these help fight off boredom and let them act out their natural instincts.
Check on their health often. If you notice anything off, like signs of stress or illness, reach out to a vet who knows about exotic pets.
You really have to supervise them during outside time, or they might get hurt or slip away.
For more tips on taming wild opossums and caring for them, take a look at how to tame a possum that lives outside your house.
